The Man with the Golden Arm

1955 - 119 mins - Director: Otto Preminger - Cast: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker - b&w - 35mm

Frank Sinatra is Frankie Machine, a hustler and recovering drug addict. Frankie decides to go straight and pursue his dream of becoming a musician, but the more time he spends on the outside the harder it becomes to resist temptation. Featuring Eleanor Parker and Kim Novak as the devil and angel, respectively, on Frankie’s shoulders.

This darkest of noirs is bolstered by Otto Preminger’s unflinching direction and Sam Leavitt’s searing cinematography. The real highlight of the film, however, is Sinatra’s Oscar-nominated performance. He’s remarkable as the weak-willed drummer, utilizing his slight physique and baby-blue eyes to haunting effect. 

Presented on a 35mm Film Print Preserved by the Library of Congress.

CREDITS
Director: Otto Preminger
Cast: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker, Arnold Stang, Darren McGavin
Screenplay: Walter Newman, Lewis Meltzer
Cinematographer: Sam Leavitt
Music: Elmer Bernstein
Production: Carlyle Productions
Original Distributor: United Artists
Presentation: 35mm / b&w / 1.85:1